Coffee and...Part 3 :-)

M5...DH says temp here right now is -11° ...yep! That qualifies for a "Brrrrrr" in my book too. ~hehehe We had a similar experience with a motel in one of the Chicago suburbs this past march. We went down for DH's BIL's funeral. We ended up in what the kids told us later was the local "No-Tell motel" :-D (YUCK!!!) But we survived! (Can you say "What do you mean there's D-Con under the dresser?) ~You gotta love those kitty cats when *they* want attention!

Do any of you think Nancy Lee (who changed her name without giving me a clue!) is a little excited about seeing her DD? Nahhhhhh! I think she might be a little more than happy we're freezing our tootsies off up here. LOL

Now back to my comments on yesterday's posts:
For Mary...Can I come play in your GH too? That sounds really good (AND warm, too!) ~what kind of job? (Actually, *none!* hehehe) I spent nearly 20 years as an office manager/receptionist/computer programmer/record keeper/and "buffer" between DH and the rest of the world while we both worked for the same company (Cardinal Glass Industries - they make the glass units for most of the window companies in the U.S.) I was probably one of the very first computer operators in the county..all self-taught and "**** good" at it I must add. :-D Now, I'd rather be working in a greenhouse nursery...and I think I may be looking into that shortly (Like in a couple of hours! :-D)

For Darius...I'd love to try one of those cookies...don't send them ALL to your uncle!

For Carol...WOW! I wish *someone* could have gotten a pic of BOTH the Hawk *and* the hubby...I'll bet the look on both was priceless! We had a lady on the photography site that had a Cooper's Hawk hanging around her bird feeders for a whole season. He didn't seem to want anything other than water, either. She got some super pics of him playing in the water fountain of her birdbath.

For Darius...I can't help but LOL when I re-read about the missing 'undies' . If someone just popped in at this point of the conversation, I can just about imagine their faces! :-O :-D (and the 'escapees' are *silk* to boot! Whoa! This is....uh....INNOCENT! :-D :-D)

For Marcia...Are you still downstairs? You might be able to get a few minutes outside today without freezing your tootsies...I'm planning (hoping!) to get out and move my baskets of WS seeds to a better spot in the yard. ~Your shopping trip makes me drool! Corduroy! Yes! And your colors...OH BOY! Sound fantastic. When you get those pillows done, I'd love to see a pic of them. ~ Sergers are great machines...just mighty hard to learn to thread them...and really *easy* to forget how! :-D But they're worth having because they really finish off a seam perfectly. ~Embroidery machines are...well...fantastic is about the only word I can use. There are some beautiful design collections for sale out there ...but then there's making them for yourself. That's what I like to do. Digitizing embroidery designs from scratch is a nice pastime when (IF) I'm not thinking about gardening. That should tell you that my sewing area is "Out of Order" at the moment! :-D ~~Thanks for the off of getting my counselor back on the right track. I'm just going to ignor her...I think she's just afraid I'll apply for her job and *get* it! hahahaha

For Jo...YEAHHHHHHH The porch is finished!!! I'm SO happy for you! (...and "Dufus1?" hehehehe I have TWO of those!)

For julie88...Poor thing! Gotta a cold? Tuff! You'll get over it...don't make everyone else miserable with your carping. :-D :-D Seriously folks...I'm not dizzy this morning, the cough is better than last night, and I'll be glad when this morning is history. I'm seriously thinking of going to the local nursery. If I can't get hired, maybe I can volunteer to help with the planting I know is going on right now (or soon will be.)

Well...it's time to hit the shower and get myself ready.

See when I get back. DH says he'll take me out to lunch...I don't think I've been out of the house for at least a month! :-)

~julie~

Wow Julie! My daughter was going nuts last year looking for someone who can digitize embroidery designs....She has a real market for shirts and hats and stuff as she does dog shows with her goldens, and there aren't many patterns available out there for dogs that actually look like the breeds. She's going into grooming now but I think she might still be interested....I left her a message this morning,she'll probably call me when she gets up......have a great lunch..I'm going out too, well bundled up for sure. If she is still looking, can I give her your email or phone #?

My worst motel experience was down in the Chicago area too, checked in, used the bathroom right away, toilet wouldn't flush. Called the desk. No maintenance until the following morning. No other rooms. Ewwwwwwwwww. Put that place on my neveragain list. Now they are out of business, lol, no surprise!!

M5...Can I count this as one of my two applications needed per week to qualify for unemployment? hehehehe Have her get in touch with me...I'll see what I can do for her. (Thanks!)

~julie~
P.s. DH is ready to go now...

The time is 11:19 a.m. and I'm BAA-ack! hehehe...have you ever 'told on someone" and come away from it unscathed? Marcia, I guess I didn't any help at all taking "care" of my nemisis. :-D (Now, if only SHE would lose her job, I'd be a happy person. tsk tsk tsk...julie...shame upon you!)

Everything went well, I'm home, and eligible for at least one more weeks Unemployment. ~little clappy icon here!~

Ok...where's that COFFEE???

~julie~

OH no!!! What did I do, Lock the door when I left this morning??? I didn't mean to lock you all out. That's what I get for not paying attention when I close the door. Sorry about that! :-D

...and a good afternoon was had by all (I hope *your's* was good too!) I'm nearly finished with the Winter sowing! YEAH!!!!! I ended up with *83* containers. I still have a couple of packets of seeds that have a LOT of seeds in them (Poppies & Columbine) between the two, I'll probably have another dozen or so containers. But that's ok...just a good thing that my kids want flowers in their yards and are too lazy to plant them for themselves...

~julie~

Well no wonder there are so many sugar cookies left, Julie!

I just missed a great photo op... it's twilight and a jet contrail was catching the bright pink hues of the sunset (unseen here) and the contrail was breaking up... It looked exactly like a string of rope lights in the sky... and my camera battery is dead. Sigh.

Whew!! What a long day.

I volunteered at Coronado National Memorial Visitor's Center today...lots of nice people from all over, including Alberta, Canada.

I'm glad there are still Butter cookies...I need some to go with my tea.

Here you will find the pictures of my finally finished Sun Rooom. Jo

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/479694/

Wow, what great room ya got, Jo! It looks cozy for both of you (you and Tessa) and I expect you will get a lot of use out of it. Bet Tessa really likes access to the outside although I see you can close it off.

Is that ever nice!! I can just picture you sitting out there with a cuppa and some of these nice butter cookies. Windows all around, and breezes drifting through. Great job!! Where is everyone today? Awfully quiet for gobs. Think they missed the link? Or catching up on all the neglected chores from our gabbing our heads off the last several days.....I still haven't done the winter sowing...I'm getting really good at putting that off.

Super job on that room, what a nice spot to relax with a cuppa, and feel the breeze coming in the windows....you really did it up fine!

Darius...isn't that always the way it goes? In my case, even if my battery was charged, I would have had the white balance set wrong. But that's ok...you painted a very nice WORD picture..so I got to see it anyway

Jo, I think we need to have our next G.O.B. session on your sunporch! It's positively super! I love the pot-belly stove...and trust me, if it was on my porch right now, it wouldn't be decorative! hehehe And I'd really like tohave that stringer of fish for my porch! (Actually, I'd like to have stringer of fish in my FREEZER! :-D)

M5...I think you had a 'senior moment' there...;-)

Pass the cookies and I'll make myself a nice cup of tea to go with them...Thanks Darius...they're YUMMY!

~julie~

Julie...those fish were bought in Mexico...and they are made out of ...dang...I don't know for sure...part clay, part metal....very heavy and clank like metal. I like them though.

Yes...we should sit in my new Sun Room...after dark tonight Tessa went crazy barking....then I saw why....the Border Patrol had them a group just up the road from me....ho-hum...nothing new. LOL

I think it is now time for me to hang the Thistle Sock back up for the Finches....just outside the center window!

Nite all...Jo

Well, I still haven't solved the question of where my silk longjohns went, but I have an idea. Next time I find them and launder them, I'll put them here to dry...

LOL Darius!! I think I'll pass on the enlarged view,though..... And it was a senior moment, sort of, I posted the first note, and then it didn't show up so I thought I pushed the wrong key. So, since dinner was burning.lol I came back and wrote a shorter one..........and now I see them both. Deja vu all over again. Sheeeeesh. nitey nite.

Bunch of busy ladies, I must say. Darius, If you find the silkies-I think she needs some-seems to have lost herself!!
Jo-sounds like a lovely place and I am glad that you have Tessa to keep you company until we get there with the goodies. Cold tonight-alert the media-up a few degrees but with the wind over 20 mph, every little area needs a draft dodger. Have a couple on the north facing doors, but I think the whole house can use them.
Will get the pillows and photos ASAP, ran errands today-and used up my get up and go. Had to get some stuff for the fungus gnats :( They came in with the potting soil that I used to try to hold over some plants with. The plants didn't make it, the gnats did-Geesh!
Had some interesting motel stays, a couple that I think rented by the hour-but when it is 3 AM and nothing else in sight... Also, there was one that had the rolled wire on top of the high fences surrounding the parking lot--I really was glad to be back in the car and on the way.. I am so very much a home body now.
Had my favorite sandwich tonight- "sweet swiss, with chopped dates and walnuts on a hard roll and heated in the microwave until the cheese is slightly melted-wonderful and I thought it up all by myself--don't groan-really is good with a cuppa and a book.

TO Jo...:-O BORDER PATROL! O-: On second thought...Wisconsin looks pretty good. We don't need border patrol on the Iowa border. Welllll...maybe. LOL

To: Darius...ROTFLMAO (big time!) coughing cuz I'm laughing TOO hard!

To: M5...geez will you girls NEVER stop making me laugh. I know CRS...really well! LOL

TO Marcia...Oh lordy, lordy, lordy...shaking head, LOL and I really need to go to bed.

I'm SO glad I have you guys...you make my day! (I dont' DARE scroll back up to see if I missed anyone cuz I'll see Darius' picture...and start all over again. Ah heck! NOW it's fixed permenantly in my head. Guess what *I* will be dreaming about tonight!

LOL and heading for bed. hehehe

~julie~

Shouldn't have stopped back for that last peek, snort!! Now DH thinks I've been hitting the bottle while he's been slaving in the basement......sitting here snorting and giggling....! Stop it! and Good Night this time for sure.

SNicker ~ chortle ~ still grinning, even more so that I was alone in doing so.

Sorry guys...didn't mean (or expect) to still have the 'giggles' when I got here this morning. :-D I'm SO glad to have made your acquaintances over the past few weeks...you honestly *do* keep me smiling.

Today, I have a haircut appointment that I rescheduled during the ice/snow event last week. And now I wish I'd taken the chance to get there...then I wouldn't have to remember that I made it WAY too early in the morning. hehehe Oh Well...

This first cup of coffee is doing nothing to pry my eyes open...I need *more*. Is there anything in our goodie stash? Maybe I need to make a pan of lemon bars? Maybe not...? (Right now I'm thinking a nice little bowl of Cream of Wheat might hit the spot.)

~julie~

How about if we just pass that bowl of fruit around, I'll have a banana to keep my potassium up, and another cup of coffee to pry my eyes open. We had such howling winds last night, it sounded like we were in a blizzard. When I looked out this morning, there wasn't enough snow to shovel so it looks like the worst of it was north of Milwaukee. That's good. I have to go to the bank and I wasn't looking forward to slush. Temp is 30* a virtual heat wave after the last week of zero temps.. DH and I were laughing at a car commercial the other evening, nice new vehicle plowing through the snow, but with not a single slushmonkey stuck in the fender wells. I want a car like that! That half frozen slushy stuff always falls off in the garage, then freezes in little speed bumps if you don't scrape it out the door. I try to remember to stop at the end of the driveway and kick them off before I track all that dirty stuff in the house.

M5...good morning! :-D I like that commercial too...you know they don't live in Wisconsin when the cars look *that* clean. (Pssst! I think they use Teflon! Now *that's* an idea who time has come! ;-))

I was a little surprised by "no snow" this morning, too. Are you sure it's even been here? :-D

~julie~

Julie, I talked to my daughter yesterday and she said she's given up on the digitizing as she is in the throes of setting up her grooming business. Well, that's me, day late and a dollar short.... I had lunch with my DIL, and DD showed up near the end, DIL had to go back to work so DD replaced her, then her lunch companion showed up and replaced me, so we had a musical chairs lunch table at Baker's Square....the poor waitress was so confused, we had to leave really big tips to calm her down. Yup, I think this snow storm was another one of those weatherman no news today so make a big deal out of the weather stories. But it's warmer!!!!

I don't think they are driving in real snow, it's probably styrofoam and they rubbed the car down with fabric softener sheets before they drove it through! Geeeez, I better get dressed!

M5...no problem...but I used the "contact" anyway...:-D hey, I made an attempt to find work. hehehehe

DH says the weather site is giving 2" snow for our area this afternoon. I think it's just wishful thinking or the snowmobilers are in charge! ;-)

Fabric softener! That would work!

~julie~

Where is everyone?

I'm not Everyone, but here I am.....just passing thru. Hi to all. with my DD, I assume is darling daughter? Off shopping this afternoon. WOW. See ya all later. Nancy Lee

Good morning. A cup of tea and some fruit sounds good this morning since I already ate breakfast and have burned a few calories. I'm already doing laundry and have done 200 reps on the Health Rider machine. Every time I go down into the basement to do something to the laundry I get on the machine and do another 100. And then of course there is the trip back up the stairs.

This morning the snow is very crunchy having had rain on it yesterday and then freezing again overnight. If I fall through the crust I can still get a shoefull but I really don't like to put the winter boots on if I can get away with feeding the horses and the dog in tennis shoes. No, the dog isn't in the tennis shoes... it's me! Just the thought of a Border Collie with 4 tennis shoes is amusing. Like the cat t-shirt I had a few years ago. Cat was a tabby with 4 red shoes. Remember him? I had a cat named Sneakers at that time, he had 4 white feet and had had the name for several years before I learned there was a book about the adventures of a cat named Sneakers and then saw this tshirt. Also had the same cat on a coffee mug.

Darius, your new clothes drying apparatus is stunning!!! Think of the fun you could have with that, take it out by the road and stick it under some bushes and wait. Surely somebody would notice. Well, that's probably not a good idea to actually do but we can all get a laugh out of the posibilities....... Legs like those could cause a wreck. However, as a garden prop out of sight of the road, well, it looks a bit like the Naked Ladies and Calendar Girls threads.....

Time to change laundry again and get back on the machine for another 100. Thanks for the tea and 'nanner. See you later........

Yucky dull looking day here, but a degree above freezing at least even if there's no sign of the sun. Roseone33 who lives a few miles west of me says the sky looks like snow over there. Guess I'll just have a cup of tea and then walk out to the mailbox.

Mary, I bought that mannequin a few years ago at a yard sale. I had it in my screened garden pavillion in Asheville, where we often held small parties. I had always intended to get a sheet of soft copper and mold it into the top to use as an ice bucket for parties. My niece painted her toenails purple! I'd put her in the garden but I'm afraid she's not weatherproof.

Hah! I just put on a jacket I bought at a yard sale for $3-4 some time back. I found $7 and some lipstick in the inside pocket! Know it wasn't put there by me, I haven't worn lipstick in years!

Yawn.....gray day here too! Would anyone like any of my Chocolate chip bran crisp cookies? They're really crispy and have all bran in them - so you get SOME benefits.......

I can't keep up with all of you - but just thought I'd drop in to say hi. Every time I see "Marcia" in the thread I think it's me - sorry Marcia G!

I have a bud coming up on my Apple Blossom amaryllis! I got 5 leaves first - and then Sunday noticed way down between two leave a bud. Last night I checked it and it's up above the bottom of the bulb about 2 inches! Very exciting! I also go some hyacinth and crocus bulbs on sale at Home Depot that I'm "forcing" as well. Man do they grow fast!

Darius - I know what you mean about the birds eating so much. They're little pigs! I've filling every other day right now.

No other real news....just working, and working......still haven't done any winter sowing - is it too late you think? May try anyway.

Later all!

Marcia B!

I'd buy one of those at a yard sale!! Years ago when corporate HQ was a little less politically correct, one of the old timers (male) brought in a blowup halfperson complete with fishnet stockings and black undies. I saw it hanging off the office clock my first day as supervisor of about 45 paralegals. I smiled, and went about settling myself in at my desk and paid no more attention to it. After lunch, it was gone, but I sure hope those old dudes weren't disappointed that I didn't fall to the floor in hysterics, or call my boss to find out what to do!! It was pretty funny so I had to stifle my chuckles all morning. I think Darius should put some fancy shorts and three inch heels on it, and put it upside down in the garden!

Heard from DIL this morning, my DS in "Cracktown" DC had to call the cops last night because there was an argument over a drug deal going on at the motel,right next door to him. They just found out there are better motels across the river, but they aren't likely to find a vacancy with all the hustlebustle going on this week. He thought he should call the cops before shots started flying!

Really sad news from my daughter, one of her goldens had a heart attack this morning and didn't survive. She had me in tears, she loves her pets so. I told her at least she was back from her grooming school session and was with her when it happened. Gracie was only ten, so she could have a few more years, but she had a heart tumor and there were no symptoms or indications that there was anything wrong. DD is vigilant about their health, and she would have done anything possible. But, that's what we sign on for when we get a pet....and still will continue to do it.

MaryE, I think that's the Kliban cat you have on your shirt, and cup. It's on ebay, item number 712774875 take a peek..you could have a pair!

Here's a Tribute to each and all the GOB's here: http://americanbridge.com/to_a_phenomenal_woman.htm

Time for another cup of tea and a little snack. Ummmm, these chocolate chip bran cookies are yummy, Marcia do you share your recipie?

Thanks M5, I looked and a search didn't find that number but I found one with the same cat.... it looks like these things are collectors items. Who'da guessed?? I'm pretty sure my mug got broken :( It's been many years and several moves since I have seen it. There is quite a collection of Kliban cat items, I had no idea there were so many. The t-shirt I had was the one with the cat sitting on a tall stool playing a guitar and singing "Love to eat those mousies........" It's also long gone. I think I will just keep my eyes open when I go to thrift stores. A few months ago I got a mug for about 50 cents of a Gary Larson cartoon, the boneless chicken ranch.

The sun is out, greenhouse thermometer says 78, ahhhhhh, anybody wanna join me potting cacti? Bring gloves, these plants defend themselves even though some of them look innocent. I also should divide and repot a bromiliad (sp?) that has several babies. Stiff leaves and teeth on the edges of that one, another job that might need gloves. A frog used to sit on a leaf and watch me water everything, he got sprinkled a few times, hop! and he would be gone. There have been at least 2 active frogs this winter and one mantis doing bug patrol in the greenhouse for me. What fun!

Ok, I need to be going, thanks for the tea and cookies.

Hi again all, is that coffee still hot? and yummies too oh good I need cheering up.
I had a small computer hiccup yeasterday so I couldn't drop by. Its all sorted out now - DS is in the business so I have my own tame consultant. I missed you all and youdo seem to have been having fun. There was so much to catch up on!
Darius I'm not sure that lady is quite the right size - might encourage the shrinking laundry syndrome don't you think? But I loved the tribute to GOBs!! Did you buy anything else at that garage sale??????
M5 your poor daughter, she must feel really low, but on the positive side it was quick, and she was spared making that dreadful decision, the one we all dread making for our beloved pets.
I had some really bad news from my New Zealand cousin today. He lost his son aged 32 with Leukemia just before Christmas, in the space of a week. He had made a miraculous recovery from Leukemia 2 years ago, was completely clear, then wham, just like that. None of us should have to bury our children. It really makes you think.
On a lighter note - we have warm sunshine outside. I pottered around checking on the yard and those bulbs are definitely on the move. Spring might be just around the corner.
Carol

Mary I'm so jealous! I wanna come!!! ;)

Sunshine? What's that? We see little of it here in January. Yup the Kliban collectibles are out in abundance....thinking about add some cups to my kitchen. Hahaha I remember the boneless chicken ranch !! My other favorite is the Cobra mom and pop sitting at the table with their youngun's, who are complaining " Awwwwwww...hamsters AGAIN ?" Thanks for the link, Darius, I'm familiar with the rainbow bridge story, and have sent it numerous times to friends when they have lost a precious pet. If any others haven't seen it, take a look, it's very touching, and brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

On the brighter side, Max, the middle siamese, appropriated the bathroom basket this morning, the one right under the heat vent. Souky regards this as her exclusive property, and was shocked to see him there. Then she circled around under my feet making pitiful little chirps,complaining about it, so I evicted him. She then hopped right in and proceeded to wash thoroughly, stretching and preening, keeping one eye on him to make sure he knew how much she was enjoying the reclamation....He finally stalked out and found another basket to snooze in, but it was so funny watching her rub it in.

Darius, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes..."but people will never forget how you made them feel" ...AND chair dancing at the same time to the "Pretty Woman" music palying (and NOT in the background, I might add! IT'S LOUD!!!) (((~Darius~))) I really *needed* that *right now!*

Did I mention I HATE WINTER!!! :-D I get SO depressed.

Be back in a few minutes...gotta mash the taters! (NO not the dance! heheh)

~julie~

Ahhh, taking time to put my feet up and I'll have a cup of tea, Thank You. I need the social break as well as a physical one... not that I used up much physical energy today, LOL.

Spent most of it working on some graphic marketing designs for logos/images for a client/friend. I had forgotten how much I like that kind of a challenge, and that I'm good at it. Too bad I cannot charge her what it's worth, but she's struggling to make ends meet also. But what goes around, comes around.

I used to have a set of those Kliban sheets... the ones with the cat in red tennies... Lordy, if I still had everyhting I used to have, I'd need TEN storage units, LOL. (probably more!)

M5, Miss Souky did her reclamation job well, it seems! I used to love to watch mine interact when I had more than one Siamese. Now just have one old fat California Spangled Cat who only interacts with the food dish... and my legs when I'm in the kitchen.

Darius...I LOVED the tribute!

I had a nice...but busy day....I worked the desk at the Widowed Support Center for half a day...and we had the luncheon for the new Garrison Chaplain...newly made rank of Col.....it was nice to welcome him to Ft. Huachuca....he came from Ft. Myers, VA....and we had a contest of sorts...trying to see who knew the most GREAT resturants in Richmond and Va. Beach....after I left and went on to the car wash to get some of the mud off my white car...he was in line right behind me....I said..."Captain George's"...the name of a great seafood buffet we couldn't think of the name of during lunch.....

I ate so much lunch that I need a nap...but too late in the day for that. Oh well...maybe a cup of tea will revive me. and I'll dance to the "pretty Woman" song too. Jo

Mornin' GOBs....went on Ebay last night and got the set of Kliban Cat with the red tennies sheets. The bottom is a twin (my guest room bed) and the top flat is a full, which I can probably trim down and make a pillow case from the excess. Funny stuff. Love them mousies....lol Hit the link that Darius gave us, really cute, forgot I had my speakers turned up so I can hear if I get mail and almost fell off my chair....WOO! lol

Okus, you have my sympathy for your family's loss, how terrible to go through an illness like that and recover only to be struck again. One of my dear cousins was lost to lymphoma, struggled with it for years but had such remarkable resilience that we were in awe of his attitude.

Darius I know just what you mean about leaving stuff behind. Sometimes I'm looking for something I know I had until I remember it was one of the "left behinds" during one of my many lifetime moves! My dad had what used to be called an "itchy foot" and I attended a dozen different schools before I graduated from high school. The longest period of attendance was the last three years of HS and that was only because he was teaching there...imagine having your father for biology, english and social studies.....it was a VERY small school....no way to escape him! Getting married at 19 didn't improve my geographical longevity, moved often then too, leaving a trail of belongings here and there. Not doing that anymore. Going out of this joint feet first. Stick around, I'll be dropping in with hot bread later today, and I think we should attack it while it's still steaming so the butter will melt nicely......

Good morning, just checking in for a minute for my cuppa tea. Would you believe I was dreaming about planting a 3 sided square washtub last night? Propped up the rear and made it look like it was spilling plants out the front. In real life I wanna do that. Really, I have so many I wannas I'll never get to them all but it is fun to dream, and when I woke up my hands were clean!

My hubby has some business in Boise today and asked me if I would like to go along! We are about 150 miles away so we don't go often, the last time was in August when we went to meet somebody at the airport. Since we live in a small town in an isolated area this is a big event. I'll get to go to Lowe's and a really big Walmart and a nice thrift store, all in one big complex, not far from a nice seafood restaurant where we will have lunch. Gotta see what plants they have, last year about this time I was buying small cactus and succulents. They might have something else I can't live without even though I can't plant it.

Time to get moving here, don't wanna keep my hubby waiting........

Hi Nancy Lee! Bye Nancy Lee! Glad to see you're having a good time with your DD.

Mary...Boots are a *good* thing (sometimes). You know, like to help keep you from getting "Freezer burn" on your toes from going barefoot in the snow. LOL And I *love* your exercise routine! This winter I'm wishing I had at least kept the treadmill I used to have (but wouldn't use). Then again, if I'd make it a habit of using those blasted 16 steps to the basement on a more regular basis I probably wouldn't need it. :-D

Darius...I thought at first that might have been *my* jacket you bought. hehehe I do put the money in my pockets and forget about it...but, nope! I haven't done the lipstick route for many years. So the $7.00 is safe! :-D (I'm still looking for a couple of $100's...if you find those...I'm sure it's mine. :-D)

mbock (Marcia B) It's "ok" I can't keep with all of us either. :-D I know just what you mean about the confusion with the first names. I've rarely had the problem with having more than one 'Julie' but here on DG there's two that I've run into...and the strangest conversations erupt when we land in the same threads. hehehehe
~ Your Amaryllis sounds gorgeous...I've got a couple but they're nowhere near throwing up flower buds just yet. But my paperwhites are FABULOUS! I do believe that they grow faster than my "Amy" bulbs did.
~ Winter sowing? LOL You have plenty of time get that done! At least a week or two in your neck of the woods. :-D

M5...(giggle) Upside down in a Wisconsin garden would make Darius' "clothes dryer" look like those pairs of jeans w/sneakers stuffed and shoved into a snowbank I see all over the place around here. (The first time I saw one, I thought a real person had tipped over while he was shoveling the white stuff. :-D)
~ Nice place, our fair city of D.C. Glad nothing happened to your son. That's a dangerous sitiuation to even be close to!
~ Losing a pet, especially one as lovable as a golden, is SO tough. But, I think I'd rather lose one quickly...and on it's own terms rather than mine or the vet's.

Carol...you live in Texas! Of course sping is 'just around the corner!' ;-) That's what i loved about living in OK. I knew at the end of January, my bulbs would be starting to grow...of course by the end of March it was all over! Now, about those robins? Have you overheard any of them talking about going north for the summer? THAT'S what I want to hear! ;-)

M5...is there still a slice of that nice homemade bread left? If so, I think I'll toast it to eat with a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Yesterday, I actually put on my pack boots and took a trip around my snow covered yard. I have to admit I enjoyed the time outside in spite of seeing nothing but my plant markers sticking out above the snow. :-D

Did anyone else at the table get an advertisement from Breck's for their cure for the "Wintertime Blues?" Those people have a *smart* strategy...I'm buying the forced bulbs today! LOL I can't think of anything nicer than having the blooms indoors and being able to plant them outside for another year of flowers.

Time to get busy...TTYL
~julie~

M5... fresh hot bread... I can smell it from here! Thanks, I WILL have a slice while it's still hot... and a cup of coffee.